What’s Included with Microsoft’s Granted Offerings for Nonprofits?
Are you a nonprofit looking to boost your impact with cutting-edge technology? Microsoft is here to help! From free software licenses to guided technical documentation and support, this program offers a range of resources designed to empower your organization. In this blog, we’ll dive into the incredible tools and grants available to nonprofits through Microsoft, showing you how to make the most of these generous offerings. Whether you’re managing projects or just trying to simplify your day-to-day tasks, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s explore what’s possible!
Discontinuation of M365 Business Premium Grant Deeply Disappointing,Harmful to Small Nonprofits
As a Microsoft CSP partner supporting multiple nonprofit organizations, I am extremely disappointed by the decision to discontinue the Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant. This change disproportionately affects small nonprofits that rely on these tools to fulfill their missions with limited resources. The justification that this is about “alignment” or “sustainability” is disingenuous. Let’s be honest—this is a revenue-driven decision that undermines Microsoft’s long-standing commitment to empowering nonprofits. Removing access to essential tools like Office desktop apps and Intune from the grant program forces small organizations into paid plans they cannot afford, jeopardizing their operations and security. Microsoft has built goodwill in the nonprofit sector over the years. This move erodes that trust. I urge you to reconsider this decision or at least provide a longer transition period and more flexible options for small nonprofits. Please do better. The nonprofit sector deserves more than a corporate cost-cutting maneuver disguised as a strategic realignment.
applying a renewal Azure grant
Just a heads up that if you are approaching a renewal of your Azure grant, things have changed in the past 6 months, and you need intervention from Support to apply that renewal credit to your existing billing. The email you'll get from 'Microsoft Azure' (after approval) makes that clear -- and it is not a self-service within Azure Admin. The "approval notice" for a renewal that shows up in the Nonprofit Portal does not explain any of this, and in general the existing documentation is out of date. Msft began phasing out the Sponsorship Portal (and, in parallel, subscriptions under the older MOSP agreement) last December, in favor of a newer platform. To apply your renewal to the existing subscription, Support told me they first need to convert your subscription to the new platform, then apply the grant. I think it will appear as "Azure credits" in various places in the Azure Admin center -- and my guess is you might not see the new grant reflected in the balance shown in the older Sponsorship Portal. If you need to do this, you might get frustrated trying to file a support request in Azure Admin, but the response to my request sent via Nonprofit Support was prompt and helpful. Interested to hear from anyone else who has gone through the process in recent months. good luck -- StewVisio: Visualize, Plan Execute & Conquer
Every great plan begins with a vision. Visualize your workloads and silos by building diagrams on the sport or for your next meeting with Microsoft Visio. nonprofits can use this tool which is included in the Microsoft 365 Business licenses. Microsoft Visio is a powerful tool that enables organizations to create detailed diagrams, flowcharts, and visual representations of complex data. For nonprofits, Visio can be transformative. Imagine a nonprofit organization that coordinates multiple community outreach programs. By using Visio, they can create clear and comprehensive flowcharts to map out each program's workflow, from volunteer recruitment to event execution. This not only streamlines processes but also improves communication among team members and enhances project management. In this blog post, we'll delve into how nonprofits can leverage Microsoft Visio, share best practices, provide real-life examples of its application, and offer tips and tricks for beginners. Getting Started with Visio for Beginners Getting Started To get started let us login into our Microsoft 365 account. There we will use the app launcher and search for the Viso application. Visio plan 1 comes with your Microsoft 365 work or school accounts. In the browser, navigate to Microsoft 365 Cloud at: https://m365.cloud.microsoft.com. In the top left-hand corner click on the app launcher icon (grid) then click "All apps." Under "Explore by category" > "Productivity" scroll down and click on "Visio." You will now see the home screen where you can do the following: Create Blank drawing Use Visio templates See All documents, recently opened, shared and favorites. Uploading documents to Visio. Explore Templates: Once installed, open Visio and explore the wide range of templates available. Templates can help you get started quickly and ensure your diagrams are professionally designed. Beginner tutorial for Visio - Microsoft Support. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the basic features of Visio, such as adding and connecting shapes, customizing shapes, and using layers. There are plenty of online tutorials and resources available to help you learn the ropes. Beginner tutorial for Visio - Microsoft Support Manage shapes in Visio for the web - Microsoft Support Introducing custom shapes in Visio for the web | Microsoft Community Hub Practice with Simple Diagrams: Start by creating simple diagrams to get a feel for the tool. As you become more comfortable, you can move on to more complex diagrams and explore advanced features. Use Cases for Nonprofits Process Mapping and Workflow Diagrams: Nonprofits often have intricate processes that need to be clearly understood by all team members. Visio allows you to create detailed process maps and workflow diagrams, ensuring everyone is on the same page and processes run smoothly. Organizational Charts: Keeping track of staff, volunteers, and organizational structure can be challenging. Visio makes it easy to create and update organizational charts, providing a clear visual representation of your team and their roles. Project Planning and Management: Visio can be used to create Gantt charts and project timelines, helping nonprofits plan and manage their projects more effectively. This ensures that all tasks are accounted for, and deadlines are met. Facility Layouts and Event Planning: Whether you're planning a fundraising event or setting up a new office space, Visio can help you design floor plans and layouts. This ensures optimal use of space and smooth event execution. Data Visualization: Nonprofits often deal with large amounts of data. Visio allows you to create visual representations of data, making it easier to analyze and present to stakeholders. Tips and Tricks Pexels Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with Visio's keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. For example, pressing "Ctrl + D" duplicates a selected shape, and "Ctrl + Shift + G" groups selected shapes. Customize Shapes: Take advantage of Visio's shape customization options. You can change the color, size, and style of shapes to match your organization's branding or to highlight important information. Utilize the Shape Data Window: The Shape Data window allows you to add metadata to your shapes. This can be useful for adding additional information or notes that are not visible in the diagram itself. Export Diagrams: Visio allows you to export your diagrams in various formats, including PDF, PNG, and SVG. This makes it easy to share your diagrams with stakeholders who may not have Visio installed. Explore Add-Ons: Visio has a variety of add-ons and extensions that can enhance its functionality. Explore these options to find tools that can help you work more efficiently and effectively. Conclusion Microsoft Visio is a versatile tool that can greatly benefit nonprofits by improving communication, streamlining processes, and enhancing project management. By leveraging Visio's powerful features and following best practices, nonprofits can create clear and effective visual representations of their data and processes. Whether you're new to Visio or looking to enhance your skills, there are plenty of resources available to help you get the most out of this powerful tool. Hyperlinks Microsoft Visio: Diagramming & Flowcharts | Microsoft 365 Troubleshoot damaged drawings in Visio - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn Featured Visio templates and diagrams - Microsoft Support Microsoft Visio | The Ultimate Diagramming ToolLevel Up Your Nonprofit with Microsoft Learn!
That’s where Microsoft Learn comes in! It’s a free, on-demand training platform where nonprofit professionals can level up their skills in key areas like: ✅ Cybersecurity – Learn how to protect sensitive donor and program data ✅ Cloud Computing – Get hands-on with Microsoft Azure to modernize operations ✅ AI & Automation – Discover how tools like Copilot can save time and improve workflows ✅ Data Analytics – Use Power BI to track impact and make data-driven decisions ✅ Collaboration & Productivity – Master Microsoft 365 tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive Bonus: If you’re looking to get certified, Microsoft Learn offers guided learning paths, interactive modules, practice assessments, and even free certification exam prep—helping your nonprofit’s team earn industry-recognized credentials that boost both confidence and credibility. Ready to upskill and transform the way your nonprofit works? Let’s dive into the keyways Microsoft Learn can help your team thrive! (Be sure to click the links included above and below throughout the blog!) 1. Free Training That Won’t Break the Budget The reality is—most nonprofits are working with tight budgets. Hiring consultants or paying for expensive training programs isn’t always an option. Microsoft Learn changes the game by providing free, high-quality training on essential tech skills, so your team can stay ahead without spending a dime. Whether you want to become a cybersecurity pro, optimize your nonprofit’s cloud strategy, or automate repetitive tasks, you’ll find step-by-step learning modules, hands-on exercises, and even sandbox environments to practice your skills. With zero cost and unlimited access, there’s no reason NOT to start learning today! 💡 2. Content Designed Just for Nonprofits Not all training is created equal, and Microsoft understands that nonprofits have unique needs. That’s why Microsoft Learn offers custom content that focus on real-world nonprofit challenges, such as: ✔ Volunteer Engagement – Learn how to manage and communicate with volunteers using Microsoft 365 ✔ Program Impact Tracking – Use Power BI and other analytics tools to measure outcomes and improve reporting ✔ Accelerate Nonprofit Funding with AI – Learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to streamline grant writing, improve donor outreach, and optimize funding strategies with AI-powered insights. ✔ Introduction to AI Skills for Nonprofits – Discover how AI can enhance nonprofit operations, improve decision-making, and automate tasks to maximize impact and efficiency. ✔ Data Governance – Understand how to structure, manage, and secure your nonprofit's data using Microsoft tools like Purview to maintain privacy and compliance. With these specialized courses, your team can gain relevant, actionable skills that will improve efficiency and amplify your mission! 3. AI & Automation: Your Digital Assistants Are Here! Ever wish you had a little extra help? AI-powered tools like Copilot in Word, Excel, and Teams can automate tasks, analyze data, and boost collaboration—so you can focus on impact instead of admin work. Need to draft a grant proposal? Copilot can help. Want insights from donor data? Copilot's got you. Running out of ideas for your fundraising campaign? Learn how you can accelerate nonprofit funding solutions with Copilot here. Microsoft Learn offers hands-on courses that teach you how to use AI tools to save time, improve accuracy, and enhance productivity—so your team can work smarter, not harder! 4. A Culture of Continuous Learning Tech is always evolving, and staying ahead of the game is key. Microsoft Learn makes ongoing training engaging, interactive, and accessible, helping your nonprofit adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing digital world. Want to level up your team’s expertise? Encourage staff and volunteers to take Microsoft certification courses—which include: Practice assessments to test knowledge before exams Certification prep courses to guide learning Industry-recognized credentials to showcase expertise Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals or Azure Fundamentals can boost credibility and help your nonprofit build trust with donors and partners. Ready to Take Your Nonprofit to the Next Level? Microsoft Learn is your nonprofit’s free ticket to a tech-savvy future—helping you upskill your team, simplify processes, and amplify your mission. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning today and turn your nonprofit into a digital powerhouse! 💻✨ 👉 Explore Microsoft Learn Now!Are you happy and successful with Dynamics?
I'd love to chat with a mid-sized nonprofit (in the 20-50 staff range +/-) that is up and running with Dynamics (whether or not they are using F&E), using it across more than one department, and generally satisfied with how things are going. I'm curious how much customization is in place, how much iteration has happened since go-live, what your tech stack looks like, how much is managed internally by an admin vs externally by a partner/managed services, and the LOE for getting an admin up to speed and/or expectations for ongoing partner support (cost, hours per month, etc). To be totally transparent, we have found Dynamics more difficult to work in than expected and would like to understand from others whether our expectations are realistic or not. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to chat!
Getting Started with Moodle on Azure: A Guide for Administrators and Teachers
Moodle is a powerful, open-source Learning Management System (LMS) designed to help educators and nonprofits deliver online training and courses efficiently. If your nonprofit has deployed Moodle on Azure, this guide will walk you through the platform’s key features, helping administrators and teachers set up, manage, and deliver engaging learning experiences. (See Moodle on Azure: A Budget-Friendly LMS for Nonprofits | Microsoft Community Hub for more information on deployment) 1. Understanding Moodle’s Role-Based Access Moodle uses role-based permissions to ensure users have the appropriate level of access. The most common roles are: Administrator – Manages the entire Moodle platform, including system settings, user accounts, and integrations. Teacher – Creates and manages courses, assignments, and student progress. Student – Enrolls in courses, participates in discussions, and completes learning activities. Each role has specific permissions that can be customized based on your organization’s needs. 2. Setting Up Your Moodle Site (For Administrators) Once Moodle is deployed on Azure, administrators need to configure the platform before teachers and students can begin using it. Key Setup Steps: ✅ Log in as an Administrator – Use your admin credentials to access the Moodle dashboard. ✅ Customize Site Settings – Go to Site Administration > General to update your nonprofit’s branding, language, and time zone. (there are two places you can find Site Administration, in the hamburger menu or the menu displayed on top of the screen) The categories below are all under General; payment, mobile settings and more are also found here ✅ Enable Microsoft 365 Integration – The integration can happen with the Microsoft 365 Plugin which enables more features. However, OAuth services can occur without the plugin. In order to enable OAuth 2.0 client, first register a new application by using App registrations in the Azure Portal. Follow this documentation for detailed guidance - OAuth 2 Microsoft service Input the details (client ID, Client secret, application ID, and service base URL) obtained within the setup within the Server-> OAuth 2 Services screen in Moodle. Select Microsoft, once on screen ✅ Create User Accounts – Add teachers and students manually or bulk upload using a CSV file. ✅ Set Up Course Categories – Organize courses by topics or departments under Site Administration > Courses > Manage Categories. 3. Creating and Managing Courses (For Teachers) Once the platform is set up, teachers can start building courses and adding learning materials. Steps to Create a Course: 1️⃣ Navigate to “Course Management” – Click on Site Administration > Courses > Add a New Course. 2️⃣ Enter Course Details – Define the course name, description, format (e.g., weekly, topics-based), and enrollment settings. 3️⃣ Add Learning Resources – Upload PDFs, videos, presentations, or link to Microsoft OneDrive files. 4️⃣ Create Assignments & Quizzes – Use Moodle’s built-in quiz engine to add multiple-choice, essay, or interactive assignments. 5️⃣ Set Up Discussion Forums – Encourage student engagement through structured Q&A forums or peer discussions. 6️⃣ Track Student Progress – Use Moodle’s gradebook and reporting tools to monitor learner performance. see some of the activity or resources available below, this does not include the various plug-ins that are also available to install onto the platform 4. Enhancing the Learning Experience To create a dynamic and interactive learning experience, teachers can use the following Moodle features: 🔹 Gamification – Add badges and certificates to motivate students. 🔹 Live Sessions with Microsoft Teams – Integrate Moodle with Microsoft Teams for virtual classrooms. 🔹 Automated Notifications – Set up email reminders for assignment deadlines. 🔹 Analytics & Reporting – Use Moodle’s dashboard or integrate with Power BI for advanced learning insights. 5. Managing Users and Security (For Administrators) Keeping Moodle secure and well-managed is crucial. Administrators should: 🔹 Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for added security. 🔹 Set up automatic backups using Azure Storage to prevent data loss. 🔹 Control user permissions to restrict access to sensitive information. 🔹 Regularly update Moodle plugins to ensure compatibility and security. Conclusion: Empowering Nonprofits with Moodle on Azure Moodle provides a flexible, cost-effective learning solution for nonprofits looking to deliver training programs. Whether you're an administrator setting up the platform or a teacher designing courses, Moodle’s customization, scalability, and Microsoft 365 integrations make it an excellent choice for nonprofit training initiatives. 🚀 Ready to get started? Explore Moodle’s features today and start building impactful learning experiences!
Clipchamp disabling "share in the cloud" toggle button
Good afternoon Is there a way to disable the "Share in the cloud" toggle button in Clipchamp and set it to no by default? This is for using Clipchamp video editor in a primary school; we do not want the pupils to be able to share their videos to the cloud. Thank you AndrewQuestion for small nonprofits
If you work for a small (5-20 people) nonprofit or charity organisation, what types of information are you capturing using Excel spreadsheets (or paper)? This might include your volunteers, program participants, donors, assets, clients, etc. What other data are you managing? Have you tried finding off-the-shelf solutions to help you with managing it?
